Scrap Leadership
Mitch Sava (h/h)
Executive Director
Mongo Scrap (t/t)
Mascot / Do-Gooder / Rule Follower / Good Vibes
Sarah Schmader (s/h)
Deputy Director of Mission & Engagement
Wrongo Scrap (h/h)
Mongo’s Nemesis / Rule Breaker / Bad Vibes
2026 Scrap Board Recruitment
The Scrap Exchange is entering an exciting new chapter — and we are seeking new members for our Board of Directors. To contact the TSE Board of Directors, please reach out to: board@scrapexchange.org
Candace Burch (s/h)
Volunteer Coordinator
Emily Lumpkin (s/h)
HR Manager
Liz Yount (s/h)
Processing Manager
Tamara Galiano (s/h)
Artist Market / Gallery Manager
Ava Hardy (s/h)
Programs & Outreach Manager
Daniel Bagnell (h/h)
Design & Events Coordinator
Board of Directors
Tom Dawson (h/h), Chair
My story with The Scrap Exchange began about two decades ago, when I was an enthusiastic shopper. Since about 2015, I’ve become increasingly involved as an Iron Crafter and artist. I occasionally MC Smashfest and always try to build special smash art to support the show. I served as the resident Scrap artist building gates, installing art, trees and other special features on campus. I’ve also made bike racks which were built at the Scrap and then installed at Geer Street Garden, Cocoa Cinnamon and other Durham spots. I joined the board in 2023. My teenager worked on the Blue Team recently and was a proud Scrappy Scout. When I’m not at Scrap, I’m a landscape architect developing parks for the City of Raleigh. My Scrappiest quality: finding big-scale treasure.
Katie Hunt (s/h), Vice Chair
As the Durham newbie on this board, I arrived in 2023 to work for the City of Durham on waste diversion, environmental equity and green workforce development. My nonprofit experience includes Utahns Against Hunger (as community organizer) and the International Environmental Communication Association (where I was interim executive director). No wonder I quickly found this delightful Scrap Exchange community! The Scrap’s used book section is easily the best in the Triangle. The treasures I find at Scrap often end up in my collage, papercraft or bullet journaling projects. I also enjoy cooking and making bread. My family includes a rescue dog named Poppyseed Muffin and two cats, Loki (in my photo) and Luna. My Scrappiest quality: I heart reuse.
Stacey Kirby (s/h), Secretary
I am a lifelong artist who has, at times, practically lived at The Scrap Exchange over the past 20 years. You could find me either in my upstairs art studio in Scrap (from 2016 to 2020) or digging through the office supply section. In my art and collaborations, I’m always experimenting with mixing reused materials, ideas and people to see what emerges. I value the spirit of exploration and joy that comes from the process itself, not just the outcome. It’s the same kind of creative energy and openness that I see at the heart of Scrap, which is why I joined the board in 2023. My work has recently been on view at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Anchorlight Gallery, Meredith College and Stamps Gallery at the University of Michigan. When I am not at Scrap or traveling for my art practice, I am probably home with my two look-a-like cats, Rosie and Kiko. My Scrappiest quality: my love of curiosity and play.
Phil Azar (h/h)
Durham has been my home for 20 years. My favorite Scrap spot is the donations intake side—the heart of operations, where the unglamorous magic happens. I joined the board in 2025—eight months, two weeks, eight hours, three seconds ago (give or take) and counting! When I’m not at Scrap, you might find me practicing my juggling (poor), studying languages (pretty much the same), or meditating or walking with my dog PD, the wonder Pandemic Dog. Prior volunteer experience: Durham Habitat ReStore board (back when it was a separate Habitat affiliate on Shannon Road) and various positions at the main Habitat affiliate, from volunteer to assistant director for programs (where I helped set up the current ReStore). I was also briefly the executive director of Clean Energy Durham and have participated in the Southwest Central Durham Quality of Life and Pauli Murray steering committees. I currently participate in the Duke Affordable Housing Council. My Scrappiest quality: pastiche.
Ethan Hughes (h/h)
Growing up in Durham and Raleigh, I remember visiting The Scrap Exchange all the time as a kid. These days, I live in Chapel Hill and work in the healthcare industry. Scrap’s used books section is my favorite place to take a break. I hunt for books with handwritten notes in the margins—it’s like reading with a friend I don’t know (and who doesn’t always agree with me). The Trashion show was yet another reminder of everyone’s creativity at Scrap. I loved seeing the vision and passion come to life—a big reason I joined the board in 2025. My Scrappiest quality: remaining calm under pressure. I can stay in the game longer and make do with whatever life throws at me.
Nola Paterni (s/h)
The Scrap Exchange–there’s really no place like it! As a maker of miniature dioramas, I’ve found a goldmine of materials at Scrap—a tiny plastic wolf, shimmery gold thread, a moon-shaped bead. Every visit fuels a new story in miniature (so it would follow that The Yellow House Gallery is my favorite place at Scrap). And don’t get me started on costumes and all the inspiration I’ve found at Scrap (so many costumes, so little closet space)! When I’m not looking for tiny objects or hunting costume pieces, I’m doing the non-profit comms thing. I joined the board in late 2024 and am excited to help ensure the Scrap can thrive long into the future. See you at SmashFest? (It’s the second best day of the year next to Halloween!) My Scrappiest quality: making art, not trash.
Danelle McDonald (s/h)
You might say I needed to leave Durham, where I was raised, in order to come back—to The Scrap Exchange! As an artist who loves to create with mixed media, I often shop in the paper and fabric collections at Scrap. I joined the board in 2025 because of Scrap’s commitment to supporting the community. When I am not at The Scrap Exchange, I am caregiving for my mother with my dog Shayla as a care partner and/or spending time with my daughter. My Scrappiest quality: resourcefulness.
Whitney Stanley (s/h)
A born and raised Durham friend introduced me to The Scrap Exchange in 2016, and I felt at home right away. I am a visual artist and attorney whose “artist at law” practice supports arts organizations, cultural workers and community builders. I also teach arts administration and art law, which keeps me connected to emerging creatives.
I joined The Scrap Exchange board in 2023 and I am also a member of the Duke Regional Hospital Board. My commitment to community also includes the Durham Art Guild, Triangle ArtWorks and the Beehive Collective, where I have volunteered my service in the past. At Scrap, I value the chance to support an organization that turns donated materials into community possibility. I share my home with my dog Peppermint, who looks like a very small old man, and I am known to mail my perfected banana bread across the country. My Scrappiest quality: a love of solving problems and putting solutions into action.